Cyprus Demands Clarity on UK Bases After Iran Attack

0:00Cyprus is fuming after an Iranian drone hit a British airbase on the island's southern coast just after midnight on March 2nd. The attack targeted the Akrateri Hanger, with sirens already warning people to take cover, but the Cypriot government got no heads up from them. British Now leaders there want to rethink the deal on Britain's two sovereign bases, Akrateri and Dakelia, which take up about 99 square miles. Finchens spiked when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the U.S. could use some UK bases for limited defensive strikes on Iranian missile. Sites Cypriot officials worried that included their island, though Britain quickly clarified it meant spots in England and the Indian Ocean, not Cyprus. Starmer even called Cyprus's president over the weekend to stress the bases won't launch any U.S. attacks. President Nikos Krista Dolyas raised the issue at an EU summit in Brussels on March 20th, calling the bases a leftover from colonial days. Cyprus gained independence from Britain in August 1960, but the UK kept these areas with

1:04their own police and courts. Many locals, including about 10,000 Cypriots living inside, see them as outdated remnants of the past. The bases have long played big roles, from spying on Middle East traffic, with U2 planes, to supporting fights against groups like Islamic State. Cyprus has always expected a courtesy heads up on operations, but now wants more transparency in intel sharing. Officials hint at talks after the Iran conflict ends, may be mirroring the UK's recent deal handing Chagos Island sovereignty to Mauritius while. Leasing the base Meanwhile, a British warship is steaming towards Cypriot waters for extra protection, as Iran claims it fired missiles at a UK base in the Indian. This could spark fresh talks to balance security needs with Cyprus' push for clearer ground rules. From your city, powered by AI, this is Canada News Today. I'm Corey with the story.